Luftwaffe
aircraft largely comprised either
High Explosive
(HE) or
Incendiary,
although there was also a range of
specialist bombs.
The former were designed to deliver a
blast effect,
shattering or demolishing buildings and structures, the latter setting fire to
flammable materials. Very often the
2 weapons were used together, often as composite loads in the same aircraft, the
Incendiaries
being used to exploit the opening-up effect of the
HE,
exposing otherwise protected materials. Early in the war,
German HE bombs
(known asSprengbombe)
were often of low weight,
50kg
being the most common type. Another widely used type was the
250kg,
but heavier weight bombs were also used.The type was identified by a prefix, either
SC, SD
or
PC,
according to function. The number would specify the weight in kg, so an
SC50
would be a 50kg
Sprengbombe Cylindrich.

In addition to type and weight designations, HE bombs sometimes carried a suffix
to indicate the type of fuse orzünderemployed,
i.e,. mV =mit
Verzögerung(with
short delay action) and LZZ =LangZeitZünder(long
time delay). Thus, for example, the designation SC250 LZZ identified a general
purpose, high explosive bomb, weighing
250kg
and fitted with a long delay fuse. The thin-cased general purpose was
called thesprengbombe
cylindrich(SC.
Used for blast effect, they had a relatively high charge ratio of 55%.
Used primarily for general demolition, something like 80% of German high
explosive bombs dropped on the UK were of the
SC type.

This
picture gives the relative sizes of the bombs. From front to back are the 50kg,
the
250kg,
the 500kg (in the wooden frame), the 1000kg (nicknamed by the Germans "Hermann")
and the 1800Kg (nicknamed by the Germans "Satan").
The bomb right at the back appears to be a 50kg variant.The picture at the top has 250kg bombs being "decorated" by Luftwaffe
personnel, giving some clues at to the size. The bomb is actually 64.5 in. Its
filling is either 60/40 Amatol/TNT, or TNT with a variety of additives including
wax, woodmeal, aluminium powder, naphthalene and ammonium nitrate. The weight of
the filling is 287lbs, making 52% of the total weight of 548lbs.

This
Image shows a pair of
1,000kg
"Hermann"
bombs, in front of a wrecked
Heinkel He 111.

The 2 represent the maximum bomb load for this aircraft type. Specialist
bombs used included the thick cased semi-armour piercing type, known as the
Sprengbombe dickwandig(SD).
These were medium cased steel weapons and, being either anti-personnel or
semi-armour piercing, had a load factor of 35% explosive. Because of their
penetration qualities they were used primarily against
ships
and
fortifications.
These also came in a range of weights, ranging from
50, 250, 500
to
1,700kg.

There was also the armour piercing bomb, known as the panzerbombe cylindrich
(PC). With a thicker, armoured steel casing, as little as 20% of the total
weight was explosive. It was used against shipping - and especially warships -
and fortifications. The heaviest used was the 1,400kg "Fritz"
version.

Incendiary BombsAlthough
the available HEs possessed great destructive power, perhaps the most potent
bombs remained the
incendiaries
which, dropped in profusion in
1940/41,
caused £Ms worth of fire damage and virtually burnt out whole Districts of
British cities. However, since they were so often used in combination with blast
bombs, their combination could be regarded as a composite weapons system.

In an attempt to make these weapons even more effective, and to defeat the
fire-fighters efforts, the Germans introduced
explosive charges
into the nose or tail of some incendiary bombs.The charge was initiated either by the heat of combustion, or by a more
complicated device that incorporated a delay of about 7 minutes. The various
versions of this bomb included the letter Z in their designation, indicating
explosive charge. Thus the standard B1El incendiary bomb fitted with an
explosive charge detonated by heat was designated B1EL ZA, and that detonated by
a delay B1El ZB.

The type used in the Battle of Britain was the tiny B1El, a 1kg bomblet known as
thebrandbombe,
1kgElektron,
hence B1El. The consisted of a cylinder of Magnesium Alloy (Elektron), with an
incendiary filling of Thermite. These weapons, which burnt with a heat
sufficient to melt steel, were ignited by a small percussion charge in the nose
which fired on impact.The type used in the Battle of Britain was the tiny B1El,
a
1kg bomblet
known as thebrandbombe,
1kgElektron,
hence B1El. The consisted of a cylinder of
Magnesium Alloy
(Elektron), with an
Incendiary
Filling
of
Thermite.
These weapons, which burnt with a heat sufficient to melt steel, were ignited by
a small percussion charge in the nose which fired on impact.

The Luftwaffe used various types of containers to carry and drop small
incendiary bombs and in the early part of the war these were usually expendable,
aimable types, designated
AB
(Abwurf
Behalter)
or
BSK
(BombenSchaltKasten), holding some 36 B1Els.Dropping was enabled by an
ESAC 250/IX
cartridge. The ESAC 250 is an abreviation for (in German)Elektrische-Senkrecht-Aufhangung
fur Cylinderbomben250/IX.
In English, this is "an electric activated vertical bomb rack system mark lX for
cylindrical bombs up to 250kg. "An
He 111
bomber was equipped with 8 ESAC 250s in its internal bomb bay, giving it a
carrying capacity of
2,000kg.It was possible to load into the cartridge one 250kg bomb or 4 x 50kg
bombs, using an adaptor. This would permit loading 4 BSK-36 incendiary
containers. With each containing 36 incendiary devices, theoretically, an
He 111
could carry
1,152
of them. In practice, it would carry a mixed load. The original large
incendiary device, the so called
Oil Bomb
which was known to the Germans as theflamorflammenbombe.
It contained an oil mixture and a high explosive bursting charge.

These weapons, based on the
250kg
and
500kg
high explosive
bomb case, were thus designated
Flam 250
and
Flam 500.
They were fitted with an impact fuse which
often failed
to detonate. This resulted in the case splitting open to disgorge its contents
without igniting, and as a result of their reliability they were withdrawn from
widespread use by January
1941.

Cluster Bombs

A
Butterfly Bomb,
or (Sprengbombe Dickwandig 2 kg or
SD2)
was a German 2 kilogram anti-personnel
submunition
used by the Luftwaffe during the 2nd World War. It was so named because the thin
cylindrical metal outer shell which hinged open when the inner bomblets deployed
gave it the superficial appearance of a large butterfly. The design was very
distinctive and easy to recognise.
SD2
bomblets were not dropped individually, but were packed into containers
containing between
6 and 108 submunitions
e.g. the
AB 23 SD-2
and
AB 250-3
submunitions dispensers. The
SD2
submunitions were scattered after the container was released from the aircraft
and had burst open when clear. This bomb type was one of the
1st cluster bombs
ever used in combat and it proved to be a highly effective weapon. -

Butterfly
bombs in a submunitions container could have the full range of fuses fitted to
increase disruption to the target. Fuse variants such as the
41A, 41B, 70B1, 70B2,
etc., also existed. These variants were inserted into the fuse pocket via a
bayonet fitting but were otherwise identical. OnOctober
28,1940some
butterfly bombs that had failed to arm themselves and were examined inIpswichbyBritish
Ordnance
Technicians
Sergeant Cann
and
2nd Lieutenant Taylor.
By screwing the
arming rods
back into the Fuses (i.e. the unarmed position) the 2 men were able to recover
safe examples for
scientific examination,
in order to discover how the bombs functioned. As with more moderncluster
bombs,
it was not considered practical to
defuse butterfly bombs
which had fully armed themselves but failed todetonate(particularly
those fitted with the
type 70
fuse), due to the extreme risks involved. The standard render safe procedure for
any unexploded butterfly bomb was to evacuate the area for at least 30 minutes
(in case the bomblet was fitted with a
type 67 time delay fuse),
then destroy it in situ by detonating a small explosive charge next to it. Other
solutions were to attach a long string to the bomb and tug on it after taking
cover, or for bombs in open countryside, shooting at them with a rifle from a
safe distance. -

The 1st cluster bomb ordinance used by military were in WW2 on the
German side, the “explosive bomb Vase 1 kg” short SD 1, the “explosive
bomb Vase 2 kg” short SD 2, as well as the shaped charge anti-tank bomb
SD 4 HL. These were differently sized disposal containers (e.g. AB70
with 23 SD 2 or 50 SD 1 to AB1000 B1,3 e or 1000 SD
1 with 610 incendiary bombs) packed, which in turn was dropped like a
big bomb, after a short time the case opened over a time fuse
and the bomblets were released. The camouflage was usually dark green or
dirty yellow coloured bombs were allocated over the surface and exploded
depending on the fuse used on impact, after the lapse of a predetermined time or
at subsequent disruption of the bomb.

Many
‘containers’ – of incendiary or anti personnel bombs – were shaped in a bomb
form, presumably to fit into the existing bomb racks. The ‘Butterfly Bomb’
was originally contained in an A.B. 23, which was, more or less, the same
shape as a 50kg bomb and contained 23 bombs, hence its title. It had an air
burst fuse so that the container opened up soon enough for the bombs to arm
themselves before reaching the ground.

The range of bombs which the Germans had at that time were in 3 types:-

P.C. stood for Panzerdurchsclags
Cylindrisch and was a heavy armour piercing bomb.

The latter used almost entirely
against shipping and heavily shielded targets.

The weight ratio of the 2 most
used types were S.C. 55% explosive, whilst the S.D. had 35%.

Later
in the war they introduced the Flam 250 and Flam 500. These were
the same size as their equivalent in S.C. but were filled with a flammable oil
mixture which was spread over a wide area when the 3 pound burster charge
exploded. They were designed to start a fire over a wide area, but frequently
just covered it with its disgustingly smelly contents. They also similarly
filled S.C. bomb cases with the same results. All of these had simple impact
fuses.

Sea
& Land MinesAt times the Luftwaffe also purposely dropped its
standard
sea mines,
fitted with a suitable detonator, on
land targets.By their intended recipients, these were referred to as "Land
Mines",
often with some awe, reflecting the amount of damage they could do. With a
high charge ratio of 60-70% and parachute-retarded descent, they created
considerable blast damage in built-up areas. The 1000kgLuft
MineB
was normally employed, and as such was designated
Bomben B
when used against land targets

The parallel sided body of the
SB1000
is made of steel plate and is roughly elliptical in end section. It is
formed by two halves which are welded together externally. The bomb body is
strengthened by a longitudinal bulkhead and 2 perforated diaphragms all
welded into position. The base plate is welded into the body 2.5 inches from
the end. The recess so formed is used to house the
parachute container.
The fuse pocket is welded into a slot in the longitudinal bulkhead. Nose
plate is welded into position and has in it filling holes. There is a nose
extension in the centre of the nose plate which houses the impact switch
55A/M
fuse. The fuse pocket is connected to the impact switch by 2 wires which are
housed in a metal tube. The parachute container, a thin metal box, is
positioned between 2 ribs riveted to the base plate. It is secured to the
base of the bomb by bolts. Inside the outer box an inner container is welded
to the base of the outer box. Four extension springs are secured to the base
of the inner container and are also attached to a plywood platform which is
the base for the parachute. The parachute is folded on the plywood, the
platform depressed, compressing the spring then held in place by canvas
flaps secured over the top. The under flap carries a loop of cord which is
threaded through eyelets of the other 3 flaps, a quick release pin is passed
through the loop, thus retaining assembly against action of the spring.

Mine
Disposal - Magnetic Mines

We don’t kid ourselves we’re heroes‘cos we sometimes get the blues,especially when we get a bomb
that’s got an awkward fuse.

And if we get it out alright,
We do a little grin
But if we don’t - that’s just too bad
They inform our next of kin.

Mysterious underwater explosions in 'H' Channel off Aberdeen started
a panic. Lt Commander Leon Verdi was flown up in weather unfit
for flying. On arrival at the airport at Aberdeen it was a mad rush to
the dock. An Armed Trawler immediately put to sea, but when the
Skipper was asked for his chart, he replied he didn't have one but knew the
spot. In mid afternoon the Trawler slowed, the Skipper sniffed the breeze
and said 'She's there.' A few feet beneath the surface was the
mast of a sunken Ship. An underwater inspection revealed the vessel
sitting on her side but there was nothing to indicate whether a torpedo,
snagline mine, explosive motor boat, drifting mine or a submarine
laid influence mine had caused the damage.

Beneath the
wreck was an aircraft which had evidently been lying on the seabed
when the ship was sunk. While the search for clues to the 'mysterious
explosion' continued, tragedy struck elsewhere. The Captain
of an ML located a sub-laid mine and manhandled it delicately
ashore at Great Yarmouth. Commander Edwards, the local
RMSO, a legendary character who had rendered safe vast numbers of enemy
moored mines and conical floats, obtained permission from
DTM to have a go at it. In the process of stripping the mine, it
detonated, killing Edwards and his American observer.
(It is possible the aircraft was a ditched German Bomber and contained 2
Magnetic Mines which both triggered when the ship inadvertently passed over
it.)

Shortly
after the tragedy a similar mine was washed ashore on the same strip of
beach. Mouldy was ordered to use all scientific aids in fathoming the
mine's secrets. The Leon Verdi with his mobile dark room and Waldron,
a civilian scientist who did the lab X-ray, joined Mouldy.
Waldron also brought a sensitive trepanner. Sensitive
listening devices were used to detect a possible clockwork. At one stage
it was feared a gamma ray anti-stripping device might be fitted. Both fears
proved negative. Mouldy decided to proceed with a step by step
strip. Shadow pictures showed in addition to the normal bits and pieces a
canister about midway on the long axis. A very thin wire could be
discerned stretched from the canister to the mechanism plate and aft
to the main charge.

Was it a
booby trip or a self destruction device? If either, how did it work? Was
removal of the whole mechanism the trigger? Could the main charge be
parted from the body of the mine without risk? Sooner or later the
RMSO arrived at the moment of truth. He must touch or move something.
The mine was of the magnetic type but there was no certainty that it
was dead magnetically. As a start the mine was gimballed and
although very sensitive, the many fingered moving parts were very sluggish.
Eventually, after weighing all the probabilities, Mouldy, step by
step, unveiled the ingenuity exercised by the German armourers and the
mine that claimed the life of Edwards and his observer was
rendered safe.